Rotational container with front lock and lever system

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes a container, applicator device, or apparatus with one or more product holders that rotate open via a set of connecting hinges located on either the faces or sides, and containing a locking system located on front or back faces of the container. The device opens by rotating a lever, with an attached cover, in the direction of the face, and using the connecting hinges to lift out the product through an orifice.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 63/269,114, filed Mar. 10, 2022, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an applicator, holder, or adispensing device, and more particularly to an applicator, holder, or adispensing device for a solid or semi-solid cosmetic, or medical,topical or fragrance product, or various forms of adhesives and glues,waxes, polishes, and/or other products.

BACKGROUND

Common packaging for products such as lipstick, cosmetics, or otherconsumable products, can be characterized by a few design groups. Forinstance, one common packaging design includes a base containing theproduct embedded in a built-in cup. The base is generally covered with atightly fit cap that is removable for application. Though this packagingtype is comparatively inexpensive, removal of the cap often damages theembedded product.

A similar common packaging design includes a product base, a removablecap and a set of components that rotates the base to allow the productto emerge perpendicularly to the motion of rotation. This motion usuallyrequires a user to set the cap aside and use two hands to rotate thebase in two opposite directions. This packaging design is more expensiveas it typically requires four or more components for assembly.

Yet another common packaging design includes a product base, a removablecap and a set of components that allows a user to laterally slide theproduct through an orifice in a holder. This mechanism, however, isdifficult to control to adjust the amount of product that the userwishes to expose. A variation to this slide action utilizes a rack andpinion concept. A toothed rack is attached to the internal holder and around wheel gear extends through the outside shell. The consumer rotatesthe gear with the thumb and through a complimentary set of gear teethforces the internal holder to push the product in a lateral motion. Thisdesign, while allowing the consumer to use one hand to extend andretract the lipstick, still requires the user to remove a cap, and it isfrequently difficult to use the slide or rotate the wheel.

SUMMARY

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, an apparatus hasan apparatus closed position and an apparatus open position andincludes: a container including a plurality of surfaces, a cavity withinthe plurality of surfaces, an orifice through which the cavity isaccessible, and at least one slot in at least one of the plurality ofsurfaces; a lever system including a cover, a surface extending from thecover, and a hinge mechanism on the surface, where the cover isconfigured to cover the orifice in the apparatus closed position; and acomplementary hinge mechanism coupled with the hinge mechanism of thelever system through the at least one slot of the container. The hingemechanism and the complementary hinge mechanism are configured to permitthe container and the lever system to rotate relative to each otherbetween the apparatus closed position and the apparatus open positionand are configured to slide along the at least one slot in the apparatusopen position. The cover of the lever system includes one of a lockingpeg or a locking hole, and the container includes the other of thelocking peg or the locking hole. The locking hole receives the lockingpeg in the apparatus closed position to prevent the hinge mechanism andthe complementary hinge mechanism from sliding along the at least oneslot in the apparatus closed position.

In embodiments, the cover of the lever system includes the locking holeand the container includes the locking peg.

In embodiments, the at least one slot and the locking hole are atdifferent container surfaces of the plurality of container surfaces.

In embodiments, the plurality of container surfaces includes a frontcontainer surface, a back container surface, a bottom container surface,and side container surfaces. The at least one slot is in the frontcontainer surface or the back container surface, and the locking hole isin the other of the front container surface or the back containersurface.

In embodiments, the at least one slot consists of a single horizontalslot extending in a horizontal direction between the side containersurfaces. The hinge is configured to slide horizontally along the singlehorizontal slot in the apparatus open position.

In embodiments, the at least one slot includes at least two verticalslots, where each of the at least two vertical slots extends in avertical direction between the bottom container surface and the orifice.The hinge is configured to slide vertically along the at least twovertical slots in the apparatus open position.

In embodiments, the apparatus further includes a support systemconfigured to nest within the container. The support system includes thecomplementary hinge mechanism, and the lever system and the supportsystem are coupled together by the hinge through the at least twovertical slots of the container.

In embodiments, the support system further includes barriers, the hingeincludes flats, and the flats prevent the hinge from sliding along theat least two vertical slots until the flats are aligned in a samedirection as the barriers.

In embodiments, the locking peg is a bar peg. The bar peg includes awider portion and a narrower portion, where the wider portion is fartheraway from the bottom container surface than the narrower portion.

In embodiments, the lock hole is a notch hole in the cover of the leversystem, and the cover includes notch locks.

In embodiments, in the apparatus closed position, the notch locks abutthe narrower portion of the bar peg to prevent the wider portion of thebar peg from sliding past the notch locks, but the notch locks permitthe bar peg to rotate out of the notch hole.

In embodiments, the cover of the lever system includes the locking pegand the container includes the locking hole.

In embodiments, the at least one slot and the locking hole are indifferent container surfaces of the plurality of container surfaces.

In embodiments, the apparatus further includes a support systemconfigured to nest within the container. The support system includes thecomplementary hinge mechanism, and the lever system and the supportsystem are coupled together by the hinge through the at least one slotof the container.

In embodiments, the support system is configured to receive at least onepan. The at least one pan is configured to hold a product and isinsertable and removable from the support system.

In embodiments, the plurality of container surfaces includes a windowpositioned to provide a view of the product in the apparatus closedposition.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, an apparatus hasan apparatus closed position and an apparatus open position andincludes: a container including a plurality of container surfaces, acavity within the plurality of container surfaces, an orifice throughwhich the cavity is accessible, and a single slot in a front containersurface or a back container surface of the plurality of containersurfaces; a lever system including a cover, a plurality of othersurfaces, and a hinge mechanism on one of the plurality of othersurfaces, where the cover is configured to cover the orifice in theapparatus closed position; and a complementary hinge mechanism coupledwith the hinge mechanism of the lever system to form a hinge through thesingle slot of the container. The hinge is configured to permit thecontainer and the lever system to rotate relative to each other betweenthe apparatus closed position and the apparatus open position and isconfigured to slide along the single slot in the apparatus openposition. A surface of the plurality of other surfaces of the leversystem includes one of a locking peg or a locking hole, and the frontcontainer surface or the back container surface of the containerincludes the other of the locking peg or the locking hole. The lockinghole receives the locking peg in the apparatus closed position toprevent the hinge from sliding along the single slot in the apparatusclosed position.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, an apparatus hasan apparatus closed position and an apparatus open position andincludes: a container including a plurality of container surfaces, acavity within the plurality of container surfaces, an orifice throughwhich the cavity is accessible, and at least one slot in at least one ofthe plurality of container surfaces, where the plurality of containersurfaces includes a front container surface, a back container surface, abottom container surface, and side container surfaces, where the atleast one slot is in the front container surface or the back containersurface; a lever system including a cover, a surface extending from thecover, and a hinge mechanism on the surface, where the cover isconfigured to cover the orifice in the apparatus closed position; and acomplementary hinge mechanism coupled with the hinge mechanism of thelever system to form a hinge through the at least one slot of thecontainer, where the hinge is configured to permit the container and thelever system to rotate relative to each other between the apparatusclosed position and the apparatus open position and is configured toslide along the at least one slot in the apparatus open position.

In embodiments, the cover of the lever system includes one of a lockingpeg or a locking hole, and the container further includes the other ofthe locking peg or the locking hole.

In embodiments, the locking hole receives the locking peg in theapparatus closed position to prevent the hinge from sliding along the atleast one slot in the apparatus closed position.

The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forthin the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosurewill be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure will be madewith reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numeralsdesignate corresponding parts in the figures:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of components of an example container devicein its most basic form, in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 2A-2C show an example sequence for opening the basic device andexposing the product, in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 3A-3B describe the example sequence for attaching the supportsystem to the lever system via a set of connectors, in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A-4C show side and isometric views that illustrate an example ofhow the lever system is prevented from moving longitudinally in specificpositions, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A-5B show a sequence describing an example method of locking thelever system and container into a closed position, in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A-6D show a sequence showing an example of how a set of pans areextended out vertically from the support system, in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7A-7C show a sequence representing an example modular feature ofthe device shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 8A-8D show a sequence illustrating an example of how one pan in asupport system rotates outward to expose the product in a second pan, inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9A-9D show a sequence illustrating an example of how a set of pansare extended out horizontally from the support system, in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 shows an example device where there is a window in thecontainer, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 shows an example alternative locking mechanism, in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 shows an example device as an applicator foam brush, inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 13A-13B show two views of the basic form of the example devicewhere the hinge system is on the front side of the container, inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 shows an example of the device in FIGS. 13A-13B in an openposition, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 shows an example of the face support system connected to theface lever, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 16A-16E show a sequence of the example device in FIGS. 13A-13B,where the container is opened, and the product is exposed, in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 17A-17E show a sequence depicting the example device where thecontainer is opened, and product accessed through one of its sides, inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 18A-18B show a version of the example device in FIGS. 13A-13Bwhere the longitudinal movement of the face lever is restricted by itsrotational position, in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 19A-19D show a side view cross-sectional sequence that illustratesan example of the movement of the device shown in FIGS. 18A-18B, inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 20A-20B illustrate two alternative shapes of the example devicedescribed in FIGS. 13-19 , in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 21A-21B show a version of the example device that is sealable, inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an applicator, holder,or a dispensing device, and more particularly to an applicator, holder,or a dispensing device for a solid or semi-solid cosmetic, medical,topical or fragrance product. In addition, these embodiments are alsoapplicable to various forms of adhesives and glues, waxes, polishes, andother surface treatments. For ease of description, an applicator,holder, and/or device may be referred to herein as an apparatus. It isintended that any description referring to an apparatus shall be treatedas though the description referred to an applicator, holder, and/ordevice. Further, it is intended that any description referring to anyone of an applicator, holder, or device, shall be treated as though thedescription referred to the others, as well.

The present disclosure describes an inexpensive applicator, holder, ordispensing device that includes a lever system having a cover that isattached to a set of one or more levers that extend from the cover, andat the bottom of which is attached a hinge. The hinge is then connectedto an internal support system that in turn holds or supports either aproduct, or an encasement with a product within. The support system ishoused in container with one or more slots located along either on oneor more sides, or on the front or back face of the container. The slotsmay be either longitudinal, latitudinal, or vertical, depending on theconfiguration. The lock is a mechanical component where the lockingoccurs between a component located on either the front face of thecontainer or the back face of the container, and a second componentlocated on a lever system. The front or back faces in the presentdisclosure are defined as, respectively, the directions toward or awayfrom the container as the device is opened, and the support system ismade accessible to the user.

In order to open the device, the user unlocks the lever system from thecontainer by rotating it about the axis where the hinge connects withthe product-containing internal support system. In embodiments of thedevice, after the lever system is sufficiently rotated, the user thenslides the lever system longitudinally or latitudinally thus pushing theinternal support system along a set of one or more slots that protrudethrough the wall or walls of the container. The product then emergesthrough an orifice in the container thus exposing the product for use.

In the present disclosure, the lever system interacts with the front orback surfaces of container such that the container controls and orrestricts the movement of the lever system and, because of the leversystem's connection to the support system and its contents, it controlsaccessibility to the product contained in the device. This control orrestriction can manifest in several ways. The container can locktogether with the lever front such that a lock restricts the leversystem from moving along the slots. The interaction between the guidingslots and the hinge component on the lever system controls and restrictsthe movement of the support device system.

The simplest form of the device can be composed of a small number ofparts that can be composed of the same material. A single-materialpackage may be important when the user needs to dispose the device afteruse, as it makes it easier to recycle. Furthermore, the device can bedesigned to be modular or refillable such that the products can beeasily removed from the device and replaced with other products. Such adevice offers opportunities to develop environmentally friendlypackaging and minimize material waste and cost. The device described inthe present disclosure does not require removal of a separate cover—anact the frequently results in the user misplacing, e.g., the cap. Andthe device can, in some embodiments, be refillable and/or allow the userto open the device and apply a product by using only one hand.

There are package products available on the market which use a swivelmechanism, but with the hinge and locking system components positionedon the sides of the device. This presents limitations to how the devicecan be designed and presents aesthetic and tactile disadvantages. Forinstance, one method of locating the locks on the side of the device isto place protrusions on inside walls of the levers that engage withholes molded into the container. In such case, as the lever system wouldrotate open, the levers would need to distort to overcome theprotrusions. A solution might be to cut channels into the sides of thecontainer. But this would be visible and be aesthetically unappealing.

Placement of the slots and locks on the sides of the device also resultin an increase in width dimensions and require a more complex andexpensive tooling. Assembly of the package components is also morecomplex.

Furthermore, placing the slots on the sides of the container makes itmore difficult to seal the slots as the side slots allow air and dirt topenetrate the container easier than if the slots were sealed at thefront of the device.

Locating all the locking and hinging componentry on the front surface ofthe package, allows a simpler mold design and less material to be usedin production. Such placement also gives the package structure morestability. It also allows for a multitude of aesthetic designs thatwould not be available to a designer if the components were on the sidesof the package. For instance, the package could be dimensioned withcircular, hexagonal, and other non-traditional shapes. It also allowsfor options to seal the slots and cover when the device is in a closedposition.

As used herein the “front” surface or “front” side of an apparatusdepends on the context. In embodiments, based on the apparatuscontaining a product, the surface that the product faces when it isexposed may be the “front” surface. In embodiments, the surface oppositewhere the product faces when it is exposed may be the “front” surface.

FIG. 1 describes an example of a design of the present disclosure. Shownis a closed rotational container apparatus 100 having a lever system 200that includes a cover 210 and a pair of side levers 220. The leversystem 200 covers a container 300 with a front surface 310. On the topportion of the front surface 310 is a lock hole 342. The lock hole 342engages with a lock peg 252 that protrudes from the lever front 211,which describes the front side of the lever system 200. In theillustrated embodiment, the front side of the rotational containerapparatus 100 is the side facing the direction away from which the leversystem 200 rotates relative to the container 300. In this case, the lockhole 342 and lock peg 252 are on the front side. Within the bottomportion of the rotational container apparatus 100 is the rotatable hingesystem 101, which is the hinge about which the lever system 200 rotatesrelative to the container 300. The lock hole 342 and lock peg 252 aredesigned such that the lever system 200 can only open after the lock peg252 is disengaged from the lock hole 342 and rotates about the axis ofthe rotatable hinge system 101.

FIGS. 2A-2C show an example of a sequence for opening the rotationalcontainer apparatus 100 and exposing a product 720. FIG. 2A shows therotatable container apparatus 100 as the lever system 200 begins torotate open about a pair of hinges 224 that protrude from the leversystem 200 and into a pair of vertical slots 322 that line the sides ofthe container 300 and connect with a support system 500 within theconfines of the container 300. The cover 210 is shown rotating away fromthe container 300 and exposing the orifice 312.

In FIG. 2B, the lever system 200 has rotated open approximately 180degrees about the hinge 224. It will be explained further in FIGS. 4A-4Cthat due to the width of a wide indentation 323 at the base of thecontainer's slots 322 and the shape and size of the hinge 224, the leversystem 200 is unable to move vertically relative to the container 300until it rotates to the orientation shown in FIG. 2B. The hinges 224 arenow free to move longitudinally along the slot 322 and push the supportsystem 500 upwards via its connection to the support connectors 550.

In FIG. 2C the lever system's hinges 224 have pushed the support system500 up and out through the orifice 312. The support system 500 has apair of support arms 510, between which is a pan system 400 containingone or more products 720.

FIGS. 3A-3B describe an example of a sequence for attaching the supportsystem 500 to the hinges 224 of the lever system 200. In FIG. 3A, thehinges 224 are located at the inside of a pair of side levers 220 thatextend from the lever system's cover 210. The support system 500 isconnectable to the hinges 224 via a pair of connectors 550. In FIG. 3B,the support connectors 550 have engaged with the hinges 224. Forclarity, other components of the rotational container apparatus 100,such as the container 300, are not shown in this figure. In theillustrated embodiment, the hinge 224 includes a cylinder 226 and aplatform 227, the significance of which will be discussed later.

FIGS. 4A-C show side and isometric views that illustrate an example ofhow the lever system 200 is prevented from moving along the slots 322 ofcontainer 300 until it is properly positioned. It can be seen in allviews that the slot 322 extends from near the top of the container 300to the bottom and maintains a constant width. This width is slightlylarger than the width or diameter of the cylinder 226 portion of thehinge 224. There is a wide indentation 323 at the base of thecontainer's slots 322. It can also be seen that each hinge 224 includesa platform 227 and the cylinder 226. The cylinder 226 extends throughthe slot 322 of the container 300. The height of the platform 227 as itprotrudes from the side levers 220 is less than that of the cylinder 226and is dimensioned to only extend into the depth of each wideindentation 323 such that the lever system 200 can freely rotate aboutthe axis of the hinge 224. The width of the slot 322 is too narrow toallow a hinge 224 that is not properly aligned with the slot 322 to movealong the slot 322. The hinge's platform 227 can only rotate within theconfines of the wide indentation 323. This is because the depths of thewide indentations 323 are equal to, or slightly larger than the heightsof the hinge platform 227.

FIG. 4A shows the relative rotational positions of the lever system 200and the container 300. The lever system 200 is slightly rotated, and isparallel to neither the container 300, nor the container's slot 322. Thelever system 200 would not be able to slide along the slot 322 in thisorientation as the hinge platform 227 would be prevented from movingalong the slot 322 except at the bottom of the container 300 in the wideindentation 323. Indeed, when the rotational container apparatus 100 isin a closed position as is shown in FIG. 1 , the hinge 224, cylinder226, and platform 227 are all positioned in the wide indentation 323.The lever system 200 is able to rotate from this closed position afterit is unlocked, as described later in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 4B is a side view where the lever system 200 and container 300 andslot 322 are parallel to each other. The longer part of the hinge 224 isaligned with the direction of the slot 322. In this rotationalorientation, the lever system 200 can vertically slide relative to thecontainer 300 since the widths of the platform 227 and cylinder 226 canfit within and slide along the length of the slot 322 when the hinge 224is aligned with the slot 322. As can be seen from the illustratedembodiment, when the rotational container apparatus 100 is in the closedposition (FIG. 1 ), the hinge 224 would not prevent the container 300from sliding downwards and away from the lever system's cover 210, alongat least a portion of the slot 322. This would be problematic since thecontainer 300 would fall and the product (720, FIG. 2C) would be exposedwithout something to obstruct its longitudinal movement when it is inthe closed position. A solution to this problem is discussed in FIGS.5A-5B.

FIG. 4C shows a 3-dimensional perspective of lever system 200 andcontainer 300 components. The hinge 224, the slot 322, the platform 227,the cylinder 226, and the wide indentation 323 are clearly shown. Forclarity, the other components of the device are not shown.

FIGS. 5A-5B describe the sequence describing one example of locking thelever system 200 and container 300 into a closed position and preventingthe lever system 200 from moving vertically relative to the container300. As mentioned in FIGS. 4A-4C, this lock restricts the device fromopening until properly rotated. FIG. 5A shows the lever system 200 witha pair of hinges 224 that is engaged with the connectors 550 of thesupport system 500 as described in FIGS. 3A-3B. The lever system 200 isopen and unlocked. There is a lock hole 342 on the top of the container300, and a lock peg 252 protruding from the lever system 200.

FIG. 5B shows the rotational container apparatus 100 in a closedposition. The lock hole 342 is engaged with the lock peg 252. The lockhole 342 is designed such that when it engages with the lock peg 252,the lever system 200 is unable to move vertically relative to thecontainer 300. It was stated in the descriptions of FIG. 4C that,without this locking system on the rotational container apparatus 100,the hinge 224 would slide along the length of the slot 322. Thisillustrated locking mechanism solves this problem.

FIGS. 6A-6D show a sequence of an embodiment of the rotational containerapparatus 100 where products 720 are packaged within a modular set ofpans 410, 411 that extend out vertically from the support system 500. Inthe illustration, the product 720 is a cosmetic and the pans 410, 411hold the cosmetic. This is only an example of one of many possibleproducts and settings for the products. For example, the product couldinstead be a lipstick, or an ointment, artist paint, or glue, amongother products. In the case of lipstick, the setting for the lipstickmay not be a pan and, instead, may be a lipstick applicator. Inembodiments, the product may be a device, such as a brush (e.g., asshown in FIG. 12 ) or another device. FIGS. 6A-6B show the rotationalcontainer apparatus 100 with the lever system 200 rotating about thehinges 224 into an open position in the process described in FIGS.2A-2C. Within the container 300 is the support system 500 containing thepans 410, 411 and product 720. FIG. 6C shows the support arms 510holding the vertical pan one 410 and vertical pan two 411 after thesupport arms 510 have been pushed out through the container's orifice312. The vertical pan two 411 is positioned behind vertical pan one 410.The pans 410, 411 are held between a pair of support arms 510. Withinboth pans 410, 411 are the cosmetic products 720.

FIG. 6D shows how the vertical pan two 411 extends vertically upward toexpose the product 720 within. Along each side of the vertical pans 410,411 are one or more sets of pan slots 422. These slots 422 engage withand are slidable along corresponding support rails 522 built into theinside of the inner walls of the support arms 510. The pans 410, 411 canbe removed from the support system 500 itself thus making the rotationalcontainer apparatus 100 modular. Users can remove the pans 410, 411 andreplace it with new pans full of fresh product.

FIGS. 7A-7C show a sequence that demonstrates an example of themodularity of the rotational container apparatus 100. FIG. 7A shows thesupport system 500 with a pair of support arms 510. On the inside of thesupport arms 500 are a set of four support rails 522 that are configuredto engage pan slots 422, one pair of which are on vertical pan one 410and another on vertical pan two 411. FIG. 7B shows vertical pan two 411as it is slid into place between the support arms 510, such that the panslots 422 engage with the corresponding support rails 522. FIG. 7C showsvertical pan one 410 after it is similarly slid between the support arms510. An alternative design would have the rails located on the panslots, and the rails designed into the support arms.

FIGS. 8A-8D show a sequence of an embodiment of the rotational containerapparatus 100 where the product is packaged in a modular set of pans430, 431; one pan capable of rotating about the other and exposing theproduct 720. FIGS. 8A-8B show the rotational container apparatus 100 asthe lever system 200 swivels about the hinge 224 into an open position.This opening process has already been described in FIGS. 6A-6D. Withinthe container 300 is the support system 500 containing the pans 430, 431and product 720. FIG. 8C shows the swivel support 530 design holding theswivel pan one 430 and swivel pan two 431, after it has been pushed outof the container's orifice 312. The swivel pan two 431 is positionedbehind swivel pan one 430. In this case, the swivel pan two 431 isimmovably attached to the swivel support 530 and the swivel pan one 430is attached to swivel pan two 431 by a pan swivel 423. In theillustrated embodiment, both pans 430, 431 contain cosmetic products720.

FIG. 8D shows how the swivel pan one 430 is rotated about the centralaxis of the pan swivel 423 so that the product 720 contained withinswivel pan two 431 is exposed. The swivel pan one 430 can be designed tobe removable from the pan swivel two 431, if desired thus making therotational container apparatus 100 modular.

FIGS. 9A-9D show a sequence of an embodiment of the rotational containerapparatus 100 where the product 720 is packaged in a modular set of pans440, 441 that extend out horizontally from the support system 500. FIGS.9A-9B show the rotational container apparatus 100 as the lever system200 swivels about the hinge 224 into an open position. This rotationalprocess has already been described in FIGS. 2A-2C. Within the container300 is the support system 500 containing the pans 440, 441 and product720. FIG. 9C shows the horizontal support 540 design holding thehorizontal pan one 440 and horizontal pan two 441 after it has beenpushed out of the container's orifice 312. The horizontal pan two 441 ispositioned behind horizontal pan one 440. The pans 440, 441 are heldbetween a pair of horizontal support segments 511. Within both pans 440,441 are the cosmetic products 720.

FIG. 9C shows how the horizontal pan one 440 extends horizontallyoutward to expose the product 720 within horizontal pan two 441. Alongeach side of horizontal pan one 440 is a pan slot 422. These slots 422engage with and are slidable along support rails 522 built into theinside of the inner walls of the horizontal support segments 511. Thepans 440, 441 can be removed from the support system 500 itself thusmaking the rotational container apparatus 100 modular. When the consumerwishes to access the horizontal pan two 441, they can pull the verticalpan one 440 outwards.

The horizontal pan two 441 is positioned behind horizontal pan one 440.In this case, the horizontal pan two 441 is immovably attached to thesupport system 500. Alternatively, a rotational container apparatus 100can be designed such that both the pans 440, 441 are modular andslidable along the horizontal support segments 511.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a rotational container apparatus 100where the user can see the product 720 within the container. In thiscase there is a window 600 set into the windowed container 301. The usercan see the product 720 through the window 600.

FIG. 11 shows another example of a locking method to prevent thecontainer 300 from vertically moving relative the lever system 200 whenit is in a closed position. In this case, there is a notch hole 250 setinto the lever front 211 of the lever system 200. A bar peg 340 isdesigned into the top portion of the container front 310. A set of notchstops 251 designed into the notch hole 250 prevent the bar peg frommoving longitudinally downward. The rotational container apparatus 100can only be opened by rotating the lever system 200 away from thecontainer 300 about the hinge 224 and toward the front, using a similarmethod previously shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the rotational container apparatus 100 asan applicator foam brush 721. In this case, a foam brush 721 is attachedto the support base 506. The illustrated rotational container apparatus100 is shown in an open position.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show an embodiment of the rotational containerapparatus, referred to herein as the face swivel apparatus 800, having apair of slots 822 embedded into one face of the container 802 and havinga face hinge system 853 that includes a pair of hinge receivers 855 anda corresponding pair of hinge pegs 865 located on the same side as theslots 822 and penetrating the slots 822 to engage a face support system880.

FIG. 13A shows the face swivel apparatus 800 showing the face hingesystem 853. There is a face lever system 801 that includes a face cover810 that protects the face orifice 805 that leads into the interior ofthe face container 802. The pair of face slots 822 are covered by a facelever front 803. At the bottom of the face lever front 803 is a pair offace hinge receivers 855 that engage with a pair of face hinge pegs 865.

FIG. 13B shows the face swivel apparatus 800 with a view to the facecontainer back 804. On top of the face container front 803 is a face barpeg 850 that is set within a face notch hole 840 and set above a pair offace notch stops 841. The face notch stops 841 prevent the face bar peg850 from moving longitudinally downward. The face swivel apparatus 800is shown in the closed position. This locking method was discussed inconnection with FIG. 11 .

FIG. 14 shows the face swivel apparatus 800 in FIGS. 13A-13B in an openposition. The face lever system 801 has rotated 180 degrees about theaxes of the hinge system 853, which includes a pair of face hingereceivers 855 and a pair of face hinge pegs 865. The face slots 822 areclearly visible. The face orifice 805 is also exposed and the facesupport system 880 is free to be pushed upwards when the face leversystem 801, via the face hinge receivers 855, push up against the facehinge pegs 865.

FIG. 15 shows the face support system 880 connected to the face leversystem 801 by the face hinge system 853 that includes the face hinge peg865 (in this illustration attached to the face support system 880) andthe face hinge receiver 855 (in this illustration attached to the facelever system 801). For reasons of clarity, other components, includingthe face container 802, are not shown. In an alternative design the facehinge peg 865 could be attached to the face lever system 801, and theface hinge receiver 855 could be attached to the face support system880. The design of the face hinge system 853 need not be restricted topin hinges as described here. An alternative face hinge system 853 maybe designed as a ball hinge or a friction hinge. Also, the face swivelapparatus 800 may be designed with only one set of hinges forming theface hinge system 853, and one corresponding slot.

FIGS. 16A-16E show a sequential set of drawings that illustrate anexample of how the face swivel apparatus 800 is opened, and the product720 accessed from the pans 410, 411. In FIG. 16A, the face lever system801 and face container 802 are in a closed position. The face cover 810covers the face orifice 805. The face notch hole 840 is engaged with theface bar peg 850 and the face lever system 801 is prevented from movingvertically with respect to the face container 802.

In FIG. 16B, the face lever system 801 rotates about the common axes ofthe face hinge receivers 855 and face hinge pegs 865. In this design,once the face lever system 801 is unlocked and swivels even partiallyaway from the face container 802, the face lever system 801 can movevertically relative to the face container 803. The face swivel apparatus800 can also be designed to restrict that movement until the face levelsystem 801 is swiveled to a position where the face lever system 801 hasrotated 180 degrees to the face container 802. This restriction will bediscussed in FIGS. 18-19 .

In FIG. 16C, the face lever system 801 has rotated 180 degrees about thecommon axes of the face hinge receivers 855 and face hinge pegs 865. InFIG. 16D, the face lever system 801 has pushed the face support system880 upwards through the face orifice 805. The face support system 880 isdesigned in a configuration similar to the vertical pan arrangementillustrated in FIGS. 6-7 . Visible is the vertical pan one 410containing product. Behind that is the vertical pan two 411. In FIG.16E, the user has extended the vertical pan two 411 upwards. All theproducts 720 contained in the pans are now fully accessible.

FIGS. 17A-17E show an embodiment of the face swivel apparatus 800 wherethe product 720 is accessed by a horizontal movement of the horizontalsupport system 816 relative to the horizontal container 813. FIG. 17Ashows a front view of the face swivel apparatus that includes ahorizontal outer face 812 and a horizontal container 813. On one side ofthe horizontal outer face 812 is a horizontal cover 814 that covers ahorizontal orifice 815. Attached to the bottom of the horizontal outerface 812 is a horizontal hinge receiver 857 that engages with ahorizontal hinge peg 867, which in turn is attached to the horizontalsupport system 816. These components are configured such that thehorizontal support system 816 can slide horizontally along a horizontalslide 858 after the horizontal outer face 812 sufficiently rotates aboutthe common axis of the horizontal hinge peg 867 and horizontal hingereceiver 857.

FIGS. 17B-17C show respectively front and back views of the face swivelapparatus 800 as the horizontal outer cover 812 has rotatedapproximately 180 degrees about the common axis of the horizontal hingepeg 867 and the horizontal hinge receiver 857. The horizontal orifice815 is now exposed and the horizontal support system 816 can now be slidout. In the illustrated embodiment, the horizontal container 813 alsocontains a horizontal upper storage 806 into which an applicator orother product may be stored, and a lower storage 807 which likewise canhold a brush or other product. In embodiments, the face swivel apparatus800 may not include a horizontal upper storage 806, such that the facecontainer 802 is accessible only through the horizontal orifice 815.

FIG. 17D shows the face swivel apparatus 800 after the horizontal outerface 812 has pulled the horizontal support system 816 out through thehorizontal orifice 815. The horizontal support system 816 stores twomodular pans—vertical pan one 410 and vertical pan two 411. The product720 in vertical pan one 410 is exposed. Product 720 is accessed, and thepans 410, 411 can be removed in a fashion similar to that described inFIGS. 7A-7C. FIG. 17E shows the vertical pan two 411 pulled upwards suchthat the contained product 720 is now accessible.

FIGS. 18A and 18B show an example of a method that longitudinallyrestricts movement of the face lever system 801 until it opens at a180-degree angle relative to the face container 802. FIG. 18A is view ofthe face swivel apparatus 800 as described in FIGS. 13-15 , except thatlongitudinal movement along the slots 822 is restricted until the facelever system 801 is sufficiently rotated relative to the face container802. A locking system similar to that shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 restrictslongitudinal movement between the face lever system 801 and the facecontainer 802 when the face swivel apparatus 800 is closed. In theembodiment described here, a rotational orientation of approximately 180degrees is required before the face lever system 801 and the facesupport system 880, can move upwards. A restrictive design is built intothe face hinge system 853 and includes a pair of flats 856 on one sideof each of the face hinge receivers 855, and a corresponding pair offace barriers 881 built along the slots 822 control at what angle theface lever system 801 will be able to move upward. Specifically, theface lever system 801 can only move along the face slots 822 when theflat 856 is properly aligned with the face barrier 881 and the flat 856can ride over the face barrier 881.

FIG. 18B shows a magnified detailed cross section view of the hingearea. The face lever system 801 and the face hinge receiver 855 arerotated so that the flat 856 is aligned with the face barrier 881. Whenthe face lever system 801 is moved upwards, it can ride over the facebarrier 881.

FIGS. 19A-19D is a side view cross-section that describes the sequenceof an embodiment where the face lever system 801 described in FIGS.18A-B is rotated 180 degrees from a position closed against the facecontainer 802, and then pushes the face support system 880 upwards. FIG.19A shows the face swivel apparatus 800 in a closed position. At thebottom of the face swivel apparatus 800 there is a face hinge receiver855 and a face hinge peg 865. On one side of the face hinge receiver 855is a flat 856. In the closed position, the flat 856 faces away from thecorresponding face slot 822. The opposite side of the face hingereceiver 855 is rounded and protrudes into the face slot 822. There is aface barrier 881 within the face slot 822 that is shown as a thin blackrectangle in the drawing and is positioned directly above the describedrounded portion of the face hinge receiver 855. In this embodiment, theface lever system 801 is prevented from moving vertically upwardsrelative to the face container 802 both by the interaction of the facenotch hole 840 against the face bar peg 850 on the top of the faceswivel apparatus 800, and by the interference of the rounded portion ofthe face hinge receiver 855 against the lower part of the face barrier881.

In FIG. 19B the face lever system 801 is rotated relative about thecommon axes of the face hinge receiver 855 and the face hinge peg 865,to an angle that is less than 180 degrees relative to the face container802. Even though the face swivel apparatus 800 is now open and the facebar peg 850 has been unlocked from the face notch hole 840, the roundedportion of the face hinge receiver 855 still interferes with the lowerportion of the face barrier 881. The face lever system 801 is stillunable to move vertically relative to the face container 802.

In FIG. 19C, the face lever system 801 has rotated 180 degrees. The flat856 now faces backwards and towards the face container 802 and alignswith the face barrier 881 such that the flat 856 can move upwards alongthe forward-facing surface of the face barrier 881.

In FIG. 19D, the face lever system 801 is shown moving verticallyupwards. The flat 856 is freely sliding along the face barrier 881. Theface lever system 801 is allowed to carry the face support system 880such that the vertical pan one 410 and vertical pan two 411 are carriedout of the face container 802.

FIGS. 20A and 20B show another embodiment of the face swivel apparatus800 described in FIGS. 13-19 . The main difference is that the facecontainer 802 has sides that are not straight. Instead, they havevarious other shapes. In FIG. 20A, there is a hexagonal side 890. InFIG. 20B the face container side is a rounded side 891. Thefunctionality of this version of the device is otherwise the same asdescribed in the FIGS. 13-19 . The shapes of the side do not affect howthe face swivel apparatus 800 opens and closes. Different side shapesallow various other aesthetic designs and storage space volumes to beapplied to the face swivel apparatus 800.

FIGS. 21A-21B show a sealable embodiment of the face swivel apparatus800 illustrated in FIG. 14 . FIG. 21A shows an open face swivelapparatus 800. A cover seal 902 is attached below the face swivelapparatus's 800 face cover 810, which is designed to engage with andseal the face container 802's face orifice 805 when the face swivelapparatus 800 is in a closed position. A pair of face seals 901 areattached to the face lever such that they may engage with and seal thecorresponding face slots 822 built into the face container 802.

FIG. 21B shows the device as it is about to close. The face seals 901are about to seal into the face slots 822, and the cover seal 902 isabout to engage and seal the face slots 822. In a closed position, thisembodiment of the face swivel apparatus 800 prevents air and moisturefrom entering the face container 802 through these openings.

In the above device description, the hinge pegs were described to beattached to the support systems and the hinge receivers were describedas attached to the face lever component. The device would work equallywell if the hinge pegs were attached to the face lever and the hingereceivers were attached to the support system. Also, the number ofslots, and the pathways of the slots within the container can also vary,as long as the slot, or slots, allow the hinges, together with theconnected support system, movement relative to the container such thatthe product can be accessed by the user.

The closures have been described as interactions between notches andbars, and between pegs and holes. Other locking systems can be designed.The device will work as long as there is a way for the face lever andcontainer to connect and disconnect when the face lever is rotatedrelative to the hinge about the axis of a hinge. The lock can be placedon either side—back or front—of the device as long as the side that thelock is placed faces the direction toward or away from the directionthat the lever system rotates.

The embodiments disclosed herein are examples of the disclosure and maybe embodied in various forms. For instance, although certain embodimentsherein are described as separate embodiments, each of the embodimentsherein may be combined with one or more of the other embodiments herein.Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailedstructure. Like reference numerals may refer to similar or identicalelements throughout the description of the figures.

The phrases “in an embodiment,” “in embodiments,” “in variousembodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or “in other embodiments” may eachrefer to one or more of the same or different embodiments in accordancewith the present disclosure. A phrase in the form “A or B” means “(A),(B), or (A and B).” A phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, or C”means “(A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, andC).”

It should be understood that the foregoing description is onlyillustrative of the present disclosure. Various alternatives andmodifications can be devised by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure isintended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances.The embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing figuresare presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the disclosure.Other elements, steps, methods, and techniques that are insubstantiallydifferent from those described above and/or in the appended claims arealso intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus having an apparatus closed position andan apparatus open position, the apparatus comprising: a containercomprising a plurality of container surfaces, a cavity within theplurality of container surfaces, an orifice through which the cavity isaccessible, and at least one slot in at least one of the plurality ofcontainer surfaces; a lever system comprising a cover, a surfaceextending from the cover, and a hinge mechanism on the surface, whereinthe cover is configured to cover the orifice in the apparatus closedposition; and a complementary hinge mechanism coupled with the hingemechanism of the lever system to form a hinge through the at least oneslot of the container, the hinge configured to permit the container andthe lever system to rotate relative to each other between the apparatusclosed position and the apparatus open position and configured to slidealong the at least one slot in the apparatus open position, wherein thecover of the lever system comprises one of a locking peg or a lockinghole, and the container further comprises the other of the locking pegor the locking hole, and wherein the locking hole receives the lockingpeg in the apparatus closed position to prevent the hinge from slidingalong the at least one slot in the apparatus closed position.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover of the lever system comprisesthe locking hole and the container comprises the locking peg.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one slot and the locking holeare at different container surfaces of the plurality of containersurfaces.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality ofcontainer surfaces comprises a front container surface, a back containersurface, a bottom container surface, and side container surfaces,wherein the at least one slot and the locking hole are both in one ofthe front container surface or the back container surface.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of container surfacescomprises a front container surface, a back container surface, a bottomcontainer surface, and side container surfaces, wherein the at least oneslot is in the front container surface or the back container surface,and wherein the locking hole is in the other of the front containersurface or the back container surface.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein the at least one slot consists of a single horizontal slotextending in a horizontal direction between the side container surfaces,wherein the hinge is configured to slide horizontally along the singlehorizontal slot in the apparatus open position.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the at least one slot comprises at least two verticalslots, each of the at least two vertical slots extending in a verticaldirection between the bottom container surface and the orifice, whereinthe hinge is configured to slide vertically along the at least twovertical slots in the apparatus open position.
 8. The apparatus of claim7, further comprising a support system configured to nest within thecontainer, the support system comprising the complementary hingemechanism, wherein the lever system and the support system are coupledtogether by the hinge through the at least two vertical slots of thecontainer.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the support systemfurther comprises barriers, wherein the hinge comprises flats, andwherein the flats prevent the hinge from sliding along the at least twovertical slots until the flat is aligned in a same direction as thebarriers.
 10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the locking peg is a barpeg, the bar peg comprising a wider portion and a narrower portion,wherein the wider portion is farther away from the bottom containersurface than the narrower portion.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the lock hole is a notch hole in the cover of the lever system,wherein the cover comprises notch locks.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein in the apparatus closed position, the notch locks abut thenarrower portion of the bar peg to prevent the wider portion of the barpeg from sliding past the notch locks, the notch locks permitting thebar peg to rotate out of the notch hole.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the cover of the lever system comprises the locking peg and thecontainer comprises the locking hole.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the at least one slot and the locking hole are in differentcontainer surfaces of the plurality of container surfaces.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support system configured tonest within the container, the support system comprising thecomplementary hinge mechanism, wherein the lever system and the supportsystem are coupled together by the hinge through the at least one slotof the container.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the supportsystem is configured to receive at least one pan, the at least one panconfigured to hold a product and being insertable and removable from thesupport system.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality ofcontainer surfaces comprises a window positioned to provide a view ofthe product in the apparatus closed position.
 18. An apparatus having anapparatus closed position and an apparatus open position, the apparatuscomprising: a container comprising a plurality of container surfaces, acavity within the plurality of container surfaces, an orifice throughwhich the cavity is accessible, and at least one slot in a frontcontainer surface or a back container surface of the plurality ofcontainer surfaces; a lever system comprising a cover, a plurality ofother surfaces, and a hinge mechanism on one of the plurality of othersurfaces, wherein the cover is configured to cover the orifice in theapparatus closed position; and a complementary hinge mechanism coupledwith the hinge mechanism of the lever system to form a hinge through theat least one slot of the container, the hinge configured to permit thecontainer and the lever system to rotate relative to each other betweenthe apparatus closed position and the apparatus open position andconfigured to slide along the at least one slot in the apparatus openposition, wherein a surface of the plurality of other surfaces of thelever system comprises one of a locking peg or a locking hole, and thefront container surface or the back container surface of the containercomprises the other of the locking peg or the locking hole, and whereinthe locking hole receives the locking peg in the apparatus closedposition to prevent the hinge from sliding along the single slot in theapparatus closed position.
 19. An apparatus having an apparatus closedposition and an apparatus open position, the apparatus comprising: acontainer comprising a plurality of container surfaces, a cavity withinthe plurality of container surfaces, an orifice through which the cavityis accessible, and at least one slot in at least one of the plurality ofcontainer surfaces, wherein the plurality of container surfacescomprises a front container surface, a back container surface, a bottomcontainer surface, and side container surfaces, wherein the at least oneslot is in the front container surface or the back container surface; alever system comprising a cover, a surface extending from the cover, anda hinge mechanism on the surface, wherein the cover is configured tocover the orifice in the apparatus closed position; and a complementaryhinge mechanism coupled with the hinge mechanism of the lever system toform a hinge through the at least one slot of the container, the hingeconfigured to permit the container and the lever system to rotaterelative to each other between the apparatus closed position and theapparatus open position and configured to slide along the at least oneslot in the apparatus open position.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19,wherein the cover of the lever system comprises one of a locking peg ora locking hole, and the container further comprises the other of thelocking peg or the locking hole, and wherein the locking hole receivesthe locking peg in the apparatus closed position to prevent the hingefrom sliding along the at least one slot in the apparatus closedposition.